The Belgian whetstone is often compared to a 4000 - 8000 grit whetstone, using the Japanese grit system, but it must be kept in mind that it is a natural product, and therefore no stone is 100% identical to another. The grit rating is given purely for information, and tells you little about the specific characteristics of the stone. The advantage compared to other whetstones is: A Beglian whetstone sharpens very finely and very quickly. No other whetstone possesses this combination.

The hardness of the garnets ensures that they are able to hone any kind of steel, including stainless steel (inter alia, 18/8 and 18/10 stainless), Damascus Steel and HSS High Speed Steel.

The geometric shape of the garnets gives the whetstone another unique characteristic. The smooth shape of the garnets means that they sharpen the metal without leaving behind tiny burrs. This results in a fine gleam without scratches on the blade, which makes the knife considerably easier to use.

The Belgian Blue Whetstone, BBW for short, comes in wide vertical strata with the thin Coticule seams in between. The BBW was formed in the same way and at the same time as the Coticule. The presence of iron oxide in the stone explains the bluish purple color. Just like the Coticule, the extraction of the BBW is a time-consuming task that must be carried out very meticulously, without the use of machinery.

The Belgian Blue Whetstone consists of 1 layer with a thickness of between 13 and 16 mm. The BBW, unlike the Coticule, comes without a substrate to give it extra strength. The BBW is not divided into categories like the Coticule, and there are almost never any blemishes in the surface. The Belgian Blue Whetstone is only produced in rectangular shape and due to the deposition of thick strata of sedimentary rock, large sizes are the rule rather than the exception. Production is carried out using traditional methods, and a small tolerance as regards dimensions is perfectly normal.

Features

100% handmade

Formed by hand and therefore unique individuals

Made following tradition

Specifications

Length: 7.875"

Width: 2"

Height: 0.625"

Weight: 18.4 oz.

Made in Belgium

Badges

Made in Germany
One of the older steel Capitals of the World: Solingen, Germany produces some of the best Kitchen knives and straight razors money can buy.